This Christmas tree veggie pizza is as fun and decorative as it is yummy! Whether you need an app that can double as a centerpiece for your next gathering or just an extra-festive weekend dinner, the whole family will love this playful dish. The “tree” gets its green from flavorful pesto and its ornaments from colorful bell peppers and cherry tomatoes. A sprinkling of cheese creates a snowy effect. Enjoy – and take pictures!

Ingredients

For the Pizza Base

• 1 pound store-bought pizza dough
• 1 teaspoon olive oil (for brushing)
• All-purpose flour (for dusting)

For the Toppings & Veggie Decorations

• 3 tablespoons store-bought pesto, divided
• ½ cup shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese
• 1 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese, divided
• 6-8 cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 small yellow bell pepper, half cut into thin strips and the remaining half reserved for a star cut out
• 5-7 fresh basil leaves, for garnish after baking

For Dipping

½ cup marinara sauce, warmed

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375F.
2. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. For the pizza dough: Lightly flour your surface and roll the dough into a 12-14 inch log. Cut into 22-23 equal pieces using a bench scraper or sharp knife.
4. Roll each piece into a smooth ball in the palm of your hands following these steps: On a lightly floured surface, flatten each piece slightly into a rough circle and tuck the edges underneath. Then, pinch the bottom where all edges meet to seal the seam. Flip the ball seam-side down and roll it lightly between your hands. The top should become smooth, while the bottom holds the seam underneath.
5. Arrange into a tree shape: On the parchment paper, place dough balls seam side down in rows – 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 and 1-2 for the trunk. The dough balls should touch slightly so they bake together.
6. Parbake the dough: Brush lightly with olive oil and bake for 12-15 minutes, until just starting to firm and turn pale golden. This step is important to prevent a soggy bottom crust when you add the pesto and the toppings.
7. Remove from oven and let cool slightly for 1-2 minutes prior to adding toppings.
8. Add sauce and cheese (note: the baking sheet will still be very hot – handle with care): Brush with 1-2 tablespoons of pesto over the tree dough balls (not the trunk), and save the rest for a few decorative ‘blobs’ of pesto topping. Sprinkle ½ cup mozzarella and 2 teaspoons Parmesan cheese over the top – save the remaining Parmesan for after the pizza has baked.
9. Decorate with veggie “ornaments”: Add thin slices of yellow bell pepper strips as garland in a few rows across the tree. Add cherry tomato halves cut side up as ornaments and a few blobs of remaining pesto. Place the star cut out above the last dough ball, as the “tree topper.”
10. Brush the trunk with olive oil if desired for shine.
11. Return to the oven and bake an additional 12-15 minutes, until golden brown and cheese is melted.
12. Once removed from the oven, garnish with fresh basil leaves and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon more parmesan cheese.
13. Serve warm and let guests pull apart the pieces for dipping in marinara sauce if desired.

Recipe Courtesy of Have A Plant.